If λ ∈ R is such that the sum of the cubes of the roots of the equation x 2 + 2 - λ x + 10 -…

If λR is such that the sum of the cubes of the roots of the equation x2+2-λx+10-λ=0 is minimum, then the magnitude of the difference of the roots of this equation is :
  1. 42
  2. 20
  3. 25
  4. 27

Solution

$x^{2} + |2 - \lambda| x + |10 - \lambda| = 0$ $\Rightarrow \alpha + \beta = \lambda - 2$ and $\alpha \beta = 10 - \lambda$

Let roots are α and β.

 α3+β3=α+β3-3αβ(α+β)

=λ-23-310-λ(λ-2)

= λ3-6λ2+12λ-8-3(10λ-λ2-20+2λ)

= λ3-3λ2-24λ+52

dzdλ=3λ2-6λ-24=3λ2-2λ-8 (where, z=α3+β3)

For maximum and critical points, derivative must be zero.

 λ2-2λ-8=0

λ-4λ+2=0

λ=-2, 4

Now, d2zdλ2=6λ-6

For λ=-2, d2zdλ2<0α3+β3 is maximum and

For (λ=4), d2zdλ2>0α3+β3 is minimum.

Equation will be x2-2x+6=0.

Using quadratic formula, we get

x=2±-22-4×1×62×1=2±-202=2±25i2=1±5i

Thus, difference of roots is α-β=25

Asked in: JEE Main 2018 (15 Apr)

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